Amid the ongoing housing crisis, collaborative housing, including cooperative models, offer a promising alternative to mainstream housing provision. In various places across Europe, these housing projects have demonstrated their ability to offer affordable and high-quality living spaces while promoting participation and mutual support among residents as well as a resource-conscious lifestyle. 

In recent years, the scope of collaborative housing has expanded to foster greater diversity among residents, such as through intergenerational projects, and by addressing needs of a broader range of vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged groups, including people with migrant and refugee backgrounds. Yet, this housing field remains largely unfamiliar to the broader public and lacks institutional support. 

Against this backdrop, the event will examine the potential of collaborative housing to promote diversity and social inclusion at the neighbourhood level. National and international experts from academia, policy, and practice will share insights from various places and discuss how partnerships and funding programmes can leverage the potential of collaborative housing to advance socially inclusive neighbourhood development and urban regeneration. Following the presentations and panel discussion, the audience will also be invited to take part in the discussion.  

The event will be held in English.

In the morning, there will be a guided visit to a new collaborative housing project which was realized by Cooperativa Sole in Bolzano’s Oltrisarco neighbourhood. It is an optional addition to the event programme. More details will follow.